Hemel Hempstead (/ˈhɛməl ˈhɛmpstɨd/) is a town in Hertfordshire in the East of England, 24 miles (38.6 km) to the north west of London and part of the Greater London Urban Area. The population at the 2001 Census was 81,143 (but now estimated at around 89,000 by Hertfordshire County Council).
Developed after World War II as a new town, it has existed as a settlement since the 8th century and was granted its town charter by King Henry VIII in 1539. It is part of the district (and borough since 1984) of Dacorum and the Hemel Hempstead constituency.
Read more about Hemel Hempstead: Geography, Neighbourhoods, Developments Since The New Town, Sport, Schools, Political Representation, Twinned Towns, Notable Features, Notable People, Film and Television Production, Art and Photograph Gallery